Affording Food as a College Student

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

The average college student today is faced with the rising cost of higher education and cost of living, all which can make resources extremely limited.  Many students are forced to live on a limited income out of necessity, and having a small budget during school can make it more challenging to purchase basic needs, such as food.  As a college student, what are ways that you can afford the food you need to adequately nourish your body while staying within your means?  There are many suggestions that can help a college student afford food consistently, even with a minimal budget.

The best way to begin is to know exactly what your budget is.  While it can be tedious to plan out a budget, it is helpful to know what resources you have to work with.  Looking at your finances with a budget can also help you determine if there are other areas that should be minimized in order to increase the money you have available for food.  Purchasing food should take priority over other things, such as recreational activities.  There are plenty of low-cost and free activities that you can become involved in that can better fit within your budget and give your more to work with in other important areas, such as buying food.

Once you know what your budget is for food, it will be easier to plan accordingly.  Check out your local newspapers and grocery stores to find out when there may be sales on foods that you may frequently buy.  Look for store brands to save money on basics, such as bread, eggs, milk, cheese, etc.  Other suggestions for saving money on food might include the following:

• Shop Locally:  Buying produce from local farmer markets can help you save money on fruits and vegetables.  Bonus:  You will be getting seasonal produce while supporting local farmers.
• Go Wholesale:  Wholesale warehouses offer larger quantities of food at discounted prices.  If you are living with roommates, consider going in together to buy basic items that you might use over time, like canned goods or meat that you can portion and freeze for later.
• Meal Plan:  Spending some extra time to plan what you want to eat for the week can help you make the most of your food budget.  When planning out your meals, come up with creative ways you can use a food item multiple times.  For example, by roasting a chicken, you can get several meals for the next couple days.  Planning your meals ahead of time can help you stretch your food dollar significantly.
• Food Banks/Coupons:  If you are struggling to make ends meet, do not forget about the helpful resources that are offered through food banks.  You can receive a box of food or meals for little to no additional money.  There are many other public assistance programs that offer help to those who are struggling to buy the food they need.  This can be something that temporary helps you get on your feet while you work to make ends meet.
• Work/Study Programs:  If your schedule allows, consider a work study program that offers scholarships or discounts in exchange for working on campus.  Easing the burden of your tuition may help increase some funds for living expenses and buying food.

Having adequate food to eat is a basic human need that every individual is entitled too.  If you have found yourself struggling to meet this need due to limited resources while in college, consider the above suggestions to help you afford the food you need to appropriately nourish your body.  By planning meals ahead of time, working on a budget, and finding ways to buy food at discounted rates can all be helpful in making ends meet and affording food with the resources you have.  Remember that this period in your life is temporary, and affording food will not always feel like such a difficult feat.  In the meantime, utilize the resources you have efficiently to sustain your health and life.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are ways that have helped you afford food on a limited budget?

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders.  These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.  We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors.  If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on August 28, 2015. Published on EatingDisorderHope.com